Christmas Layouts 2006

[Dr. John]

Well, here goes . . .

Here's day one progress of Christmas in Dixie. As you can see, it is going to be simple this year. I managed to get the "benchwork" completed (36" wide hollow core door on folding banquet table legs.) Track is a mix of Marx O-34 and O-27. Originally, I planned two loops, but using all O-34 curves put the track dangerously close to the edge. I compromised by using a O-34 transition curves into O-27 to get better operation. I'll be adding Dept. 56 buildings and more winter scenery in the days ahead. I may sneak some more Marx tin buildings on as well.


A Williams ICG NW-2 has just completed test operations. Trackwork is pronounced ready for train operations!


The NW-2 idles in front of the Girard station.

Post your pictures and progress of your 2006 Christmas layout!

[envfocus]

Just finished my floor layout around the tree this year.  I have to thank Buckeye for the idea/tips on the "glowing" snow.

Running a prewar 259e with 603 pullman and 604 observation car on an oval with a passing siding (O-31" curves).

Pretty major snowfall this year under the tree.  I'm going to take a few more pictures and post them on Sunday Pics tomorrow.  Looking forward to seeing everyone's Christmas layouts.

 

[Nick12DMC]

Great Pics guys, I am working on a plan for a round the tree layout, that I can expand on Christmas morning. The little guy has asked Santa for a train and some extra track to add to the set he got last year. I think I ordered enough track, 072 Fastrack and 30" straights to take over the lounge!

Thanks for the help from the forum on choosing the set for this year, in the end stuck with Lionel and a PWC Missile Launch set as Charlie likes his army men. Now he will be able to blast them by a just pushing a button on the Cab 1.

Will post some pics when we put the tree up.

All the best

Nick

 

 

[darianj]

Nice work everyone...I have to get started on mine!

[spankybird]

Here are some pics of our Christmas Layout

The the G gauge

tom

[jefelectric]

Great Pics guys, I am working on a plan for a round the tree layout, that I can expand on Christmas morning. The little guy has asked Santa for a train and some extra track to add to the set he got last year. I think I ordered enough track, 072 Fastrack and 30" straights to take over the lounge!

Thanks for the help from the forum on choosing the set for this year, in the end stuck with Lionel and a PWC Missile Launch set as Charlie likes his army men. Now he will be able to blast them by a just pushing a button on the Cab 1.

Will post some pics when we put the tree up.

All the best

Nick

Nick, If Charlie likes Army men, there are some good buys out there on the K-line army figures.  If local shop doesn't have them, check the online sites.

[Nick12DMC]

Thanks John, I have seen some K-line stuff at very good prices online. We have one shop in the UK which stocks 3-rail 0 gauge they are a Lionel and MTH dealer. I do remember seeing some K-line track last time I was there. Not to local to us as they are just outside of Birmingham.

Things are changing though, any model train shop that is a Walthers dealer here can order Lionel as I understand it. I was in my local shop picking up some scenic items last week and they produced a Lionel catalogue!

Regards

Nick

 

 

 

 

 

[Brutus]

I've got the Polar Express set with Fastrack to put up on my table, once I box up my Halloween stuff.  I think I'll leave a loop with a turnout of O27 and get that Northpole Switcher with a dump car of presents of something too.  Then, a 3 or 4 foot tree in the middle.  That's the plan, anyway!

[Blueberryhill RR]

Love those pictures.

[RR Redneck]

Love those pictures.

[Dr. John]

I have basically completed my "Christmas in Dixie" layout. Here are some pics to show the progress:

 

A Marx Commodore Vanderbilt leads a passenger train into downtown Girard, overtaking a Lionel trolley.

 

Overview of layout.

 

A family walks to the Christmas Eve service at church. Looks like the Dairy Queen is busy tonight.

 

Santa fuels up the reindeer in front of his southern command post.

 

A view up Main Street. Looks like the snow drifts are piling up.

 

A side shot of the restored Marx CV. Runs like a swiss watch!

 

Another view of "Christmas in Dixie" 2006 version. I'll be adding more details and post more pictures later. 

[darianj]

Here are a few from one of 2 possible layouts...

This is the full view.....

 

Looking a little closer, we see the toy shop and "The Spinning Top" toyshop in the middle and the town church on the hill in the background.  James is waiting for the trolley.

 

Here comes the trolley now...making it's way through 4 feet of snow!

 

Some friends enjoying a day of ice skating...

 

A mothers and her daughters having a friendly snowball fight...

 

HMMM....I wonder what he picked up at the candy shop...

Santa is making an early appearance!

And now nighttime has fallen upon our little village...

And here's the view from my sofa when I'm watching TV.  You can see the trolley wiz by from here.

[Dr. John]

Darian, nice shots! I like how you have the layout placed above the TV.

 

Here's a couple of update shots featuring my 2037.

 

 

The 2037 glides to a stop in front of the Girard station with a freight train in tow. A Lionel #60 trolley peeks between two buildings hauling holiday shoppers.

 

 

Hey, it IS the Christmas in Dixie layout, after all!

 

[Buckeye Riveter]

I thought you might like to see the Christmas lights at the Roger's Corners, Ohio passenger station.   Actually the lights are a Christmas Necklace that I purchased at Bob Evan's last week. They look just like Christmas lights.  They use a small battery and blink.

[Dr. John]

Buckeye, those lights look great!

[AKKevinT]

Wow! I final had some time this past to start putting our Christmas layout up. Over the next week or so I will finish put the finishing touches on it. In the meantime I thought I would share a few pictures in the setup stage. The layout is 4'X12' with a 4'X5' section setup as a tunnels so our tree and presents sitting free and clear on top. Tunnels have viewing cut outs along the side and at the end (pictures of those later on). The trains I have on this week are my 1959 Postwar Lionel Alaska set with the 6636 add on and the Polar Express set. Also I have an MTH diesel on the sidetrack. Stuff remaining to complete includes: facing the tunnels with portals; adding snow; and planting about 65 trees! Overhead view showing three of the four tunnel openings: Here is the west end of the layout, using a ZW to power the two tracks and the lighting. Shot of the lighting. I am using the K-Line North Pole Village Set for the buildings and have added some lighting to them. When I have time off over the break I plan to modify the windows in the factory, station and maybe the hanger! I have asked my daughter to help make some mountain backdrops to place along the wall for the trains to run in front of. Ah some many plans so little time and it is all fun! A note to all the preceding layout pictures posted by everyone– they look great! Keep the pictures coming they are really fun to look at. Kevin T.

[HopperSJ]

Here's a few shots of our first Christmas aounrd the tree layout...

 

 

 

[Anonymous]

Great Layouts!  Thanks for the excellent pics!